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March 29, 2010 - 10:45pm
Running after microdiscectomy
Hello, I did a quick search, but couldn't find a thread specifically on this topic.
I had a microdiscectomy on Dec 21 2009 for L4/L5. I was having sciatica down the left leg, hamstring area.
My recovery is going fair. Much better than before surgery where I could barely walk, but still feeling tightness in low back mostly, sometimes in the old area.
I've done PT, first was in network and terribly overcrowded, then found a guy out of network one on one. He's gone pretty conservative with just stretching.. soon we're doing core strengthening
Anyway my question concerns running. I was a pretty big distance runner beforehand, and am itching to get back. I've been on the elliptical plenty and have started fast walking on the treadmill, and it doesn't seem to be affecting anything. Before surgery and when I was just having back pain and not sciatica, running actually seemed to loosen things up and make me feel better. I'm not sure if perhaps it had a bad long-term affect.
If I go out slow (1 mile at first, then more) and don't feel any immediate regression, is it recommended? I'm know it may be best to wait until all tightness is gone completely but if I can do this I want to
My PT thinks it okay as long as go slow at first and stop if I feel it acting up. Thoughts?
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I know this isn't your specific question. In general though whether you had a discectomy, laminectomy, or fusion. When it comes to the recovery. There are a lot of similarities to follow. High impact is one of them. The thread below should give you an idea.
http://www.spine-health.com/forum/exercise-and-rehab/running-after-fusio...
Using input from the PT as to how they feel you are progressing is fine. I'd be asking my surgeon this question.
They likely will not take to much high impact without causing more damage. You may want to have a very specific talk w/ your surgeon.
Good luck, Jim
Click on my user name to see my medical history
You get what you get......not what you deserve! I stole that from Susan (RIP)
Today is yours to embrace....for tomorrow who knows what will be starring you in the face
My personal thoughts are that you really need to consider your goals for the future and discuss with your surgeon.
That being said, I'll share my personal approach to this.
Herniation #1: When I herniated my disc (tear), my initial surgeon told me after 6-12 months I could consider running again but that he strongly encouraged me to quit distance running to avoid re-herniation. He said he'd recommend staying in the 3mile range.
Side note: I was training for my 3rd/final marathon as I was turning 40 and wanted to prove "I still had it in me"...ironic, I know
I decided my course of action was going to be no more than casual/enjoyable 1-3 mile runs and no more than 2-3x/week. I didn't want to risk not being able to run due to rehernation.
Herniation #2: Well, I never recovered from surgery 1 and knew at the 3-month mark I had lost another large piece of disc. At that point, I rethought things and my new goal became...AVOIDING A LUMBAR FUSION because I felt that would severely limit my activities for quite some time.
summary: Consider your age, your goals, and discuss this specifically with your surgeon.
I would really take caution for 12 months and really consider the future risks associated with running. Perhaps it's time to find another sport that can give you the similar feeling.
I ran lots of 10K, 20K, 1/2s, and 2 marathons...I really was going to do 1 more marathon and then cut back to fun running for health and mental peace.
You need to consider the health of the discs above/below. For me L5-S1 barely has any disc left which is one problem but L4-L5 is showing signs that it's under 'stress'.
Your discs are shock absorbers...much like a car, eventually they will give way but unlike a car, they are not as easy to 'replace'.
Reading these posts about running after surgery, and the other thread about running after fusion is making me feel more optimistic about my upcoming surgery. So I guess some people do fare well after surgery -well enough to exercise again and even run!
I love running and would love to get back to it, but even more, I want to get back to dancing. Dancing is the one thing it's hard for me to live without - lessons, dances, clubs, etc. I plan to start out on the elliptical as well, and take it slow from there.
- discotomy on June 3 2010
- sciatica since Sept 09
- large disc herniation - L5/S1
As a marathoner and on my 2nd op for my back I am very keen to retun to gentle runs? How long after surgery shall I leave it?
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Post Edited by Authority Member Liz
Oakey, that's something that you should discuss with your surgeon, as it would depend on your injuries, surgery, and your recovery.
Kelly
I am a PROUD CANADIAN soldier But NOT a doctor, my thoughts are my own